An unprecedented number of citations for distracting driving were made in a week-long multi-agency enforcement campaign called the ‘6 State Trooper Project’. The Indiana State Police joined forces with Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Kentucky State Police on major interstates from June 16-22, in an ongoing effort to combat distracted driving. Nearly 2,000 citations for distracted driving were issued among the six states. Distracted driving citations include texting, cell phone, reckless and careless driving.
During this same time frame, there were 201 collisions reported involving distracted driving behavior throughout the six state region. “Any opportunity we have to work with our law enforcement partners across state lines to reduce crashes and save lives is time well spent,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. “The ISP will continue partnering in this effort and others like it in the future.” The ‘6-State Trooper Project’ began in 2012 with three planned enforcement campaigns targeting operating a vehicle under the influence and marijuana interdiction. This successful campaign yielded 582 DUI arrests and seizure of 210 pounds of marijuana and 14,327 marijuana plants. Command staff from all six states reconvened earlier this year and planned three additional multi-state efforts for 2013 that included distracted driving, DUI and Marijuana interdiction. The next combined enforcement effort is scheduled for September and will target Marijuana interdiction and criminal patrol.